SEC Proposes Rule for the Timely Acknowledgment and Verification of Security-Based Swap Transactions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2011-13

Washington, D.C., Jan. 14, 2011 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today voted to propose a rule governing the way in which certain security-based swap transactions are acknowledged and verified by the parties who enter into them.

Additional Materials

Under the proposed rule, security-based swap dealers and major security-based swap participants, collectively known as SBS entities, would have to provide to their counterparties a trade acknowledgement detailing information specific to the transaction.

The new rule, Rule 15Fi-1, is being proposed under Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which generally authorizes the SEC to regulate security-based swaps. Among other things, the new law gives the SEC the authority to establish standards for the confirmation and documentation of security-based swap transactions entered into by SBS entities.

The proposed rule is another step in the SEC's continuing effort to increase the transparency of the security-based swap market.

The proposed rule would require SBS entities to provide their counterparties with an electronic record containing information specific to the security-based swap transaction.

In particular, it would require an SBS entity to:

Provide a trade acknowledgment to its counterparty in a security-based swap transaction within 15 minutes, 30 minutes or 24 hours of execution, depending on whether the transaction is executed or processed electronically.

Electronically process security-based swap transactions if the SBS Entity has the ability to do so.

Have written policies and procedures in place that are reasonably designed to obtain verification of the terms outlined in the trade acknowledgment.

In addition, the proposed rule would:

Specify which SBS entity is responsible for providing the trade acknowledgment.

Permit an SBS entity to satisfy the requirements of the proposed rule by processing the transaction through the facilities of a registered clearing agency.

Identify the transaction details that must be included in the trade acknowledgement.

Provide a limited exemption from the requirements of Rule 10b-10 under the Exchange Act for SBS Entities that are also brokers.

Public comments on the proposed rule should be received by the Commission within 30 days of publication in the Federal Register.

Recent Rulemaking

Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Commission has been engaging in significant rule-making. Among other things, it has:

Proposed Rules Regarding Mandatory Clearing of Security-based Swaps: Proposed rules that would set out the way in which clearing agencies provide information to the SEC about security-based swaps that the clearing agencies plan to accept for clearing.

Municipal Advisor Registration: Adopted a permanent rule requiring municipal advisors to register with the SEC as required by Dodd-Frank.

Improved Oversight of Investment Advisers: Proposed rules implementing the exemptions from registration for advisers to venture capital firms and for certain advisers to private funds and also proposed rules and changes to forms to implement the transition of mid-sized investment advisers (between $25 and $100 million in assets under management) from SEC to State regulation.

Whistleblower Incentives and Protection Program: Proposed rules to reward individuals who provide the agency with high-quality tips that lead to successful enforcement actions.

Security-Based Swap Fraud: Proposed a new rule to help prevent fraud, manipulation, and deception in connection with the offer, purchase or sale of any security-based swap — as well as in connection with ongoing payments and deliveries under a security-based swap.

Security-Based Swap Conflicts: Proposed rules intended to mitigate conflicts of interest for security-based swap clearing agencies, security-based swap execution facilities, and national securities exchanges that post security-based swaps or make them available for trading.

Reporting of Pre-Enactment Security-Based Swaps: Adopted an interim rule that requires certain swaps dealers and other parties to report any security-based swaps entered into prior to the July 21 passage of the Dodd-Frank Act. This rule applies only to such swaps whose terms had not expired as of July 21.

Strengthening Oversight of Investment Advisers: Proposed new rules to facilitate the registration of advisers to hedge funds and other private funds with the SEC; implement a mandate to require reporting by certain advisers that are otherwise exempt from SEC registration; increase the asset threshold for advisers to register with the SEC; and define "venture capital fund."

Asset-Backed Securities: Proposed rules that would enhance ABS disclosure by: 1) requiring registered ABS issuers to perform a review of the assets that underlie the ABS; 2) requiring an ABS issuer to disclose the nature, findings and conclusions of this review of assets; and, 3) requiring the issuer or underwriter for both registered and unregistered ABS offerings to disclose the findings and conclusions of any review performed by a third party that was hired to conduct such a review.

Say-on-Pay: Proposed rules, under Dodd-Frank, that would enable shareholders to cast advisory votes on executive compensation and "golden parachute" arrangements.

Whistleblower: Proposed a whistleblower program and rules that would reward individuals who provide the agency with high-quality tips that lead to successful enforcement actions.

What's Next?

The proposal seeks public comment and data on a broad range of issues relating to the proposed rule, including the costs and benefits associated with the proposal. After careful review of comments, the Commission will consider whether to adopt the proposed rule or modify it.